It has been about 4 months since my last substantive post in the 50+and I wanted to briefly update my friends and acquaintances. Goodness - so many new folks!! That is great.

Nora and I are both alive at 75.5 and 73.5 years old. Nora is still riding - just last Saturday, and is now taking beginning swimming lessons. I am so proud of her. She continues to have the awful post herpetic neuralgia pain every afternoon.

I continue riding my Lemond, Specialized Mtn Bike and WIndsor Leeds. As always, I have absolutely no interest in speed, mileage or averages. Just cruising along the creek and other trails enjoying the birds singing. I am currently trying a brand new type of saddle in the hopes of eliminating perineal pain and irritation. LBS wants me to try it for a few miles. As we are having rain and snow the next few days, it will be a bit.

I continue swimming about 4 hours per week, and thoroughly enjoy it.

I am now able to walk 2-3 miles easily, after fighting the severe Achilles tendonosis the past year. Accupuncture and PT and my very hard work helped to conquer it and avoid surgery. For awhile there, even walking 1/4 mile killed me.

I continue intense resistance training, adding TRX recently. I do believe that I have not only held my own the past 10 years, but am actually stronger.

I have enjoyed reading the 50+ posts, but there was only one to which I could have added anything significant. That was a thread concerning finding schmutz?? along the road and not being able to carry it home. I would have suggested a Kiva foldup backpack which folds to a very small package and fits in nicely into my wedge. I used it today for some berries from Sprouts.

Once again, the 50+ goes through the gyrations of "not on topic" and "cliques" - for maybe the 4th time in 10 years. I laughed a bit.

I don't plan on reentering the 50+ except for perhaps a periodic update for those interested. The break has been good for me, and honestly, my goals, interests and activities are far removed from about 80--90% of the 50+ participants. Also, I don't enjoy defending posts from just a few antagonists who took it on themselves to continually challenge whatever I posted. Life is too short.

A couple of you have kept me up-to-date and asked about me privately, and I greatly appreciate that.

We are still challenged daily by the needs of our profoundly disabled son - including last night, today and tomorrow. Critical problems to be solved and no easy answers.

I wish each and every one of you the best in your bicycling and your discussions. To newbies - this forum was started just for you - keep on pedaling and enjoy!!

Good to hear from you Dnvr. Glad you are both doing well.
Sorry to hear about the problems your son is going though. My youngest (now 32 y/o) is autistic so I have somewhat of an idea of your challenges.
Best of luck to the three of you.

__________________

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. - Psalm 103:8

I had a tough meeting this am with Andy's care giver, day care provider, case manager, my son (the attorney), the Host Home supervisor, Andy's former care giver and Andy.

I believe we made some progress in clarifying communication lines and responsibilities, getting folks to work together, and getting me out of the line of fire - where I should not be. It was a very rough night 2 nights ago, but I finally slept last night, and I believe the meeting was productive.

In one's mid 70's, one wonders just when all the advocacy ends. Conclusion - it doesn't, which makes one's inevitable death a scary . . . .

I had a tough meeting this am with Andy's care giver, day care provider, case manager, my son (the attorney), the Host Home supervisor, Andy's former care giver and Andy.

I believe we made some progress in clarifying communication lines and responsibilities, getting folks to work together, and getting me out of the line of fire - where I should not be. It was a very rough night 2 nights ago, but I finally slept last night, and I believe the meeting was productive.

In one's mid 70's, one wonders just when all the advocacy ends. Conclusion - it doesn't, which makes one's inevitable death a scary . . . .

I don't know your son's problems, but it seems you are facing similar challenges to those of my brother with his son in the UK. A never-ending torture for all concerned. My sympathies go out to your family.

In one's mid 70's, one wonders just when all the advocacy ends. Conclusion - it doesn't, which makes one's inevitable death a scary . . . .

Denver, as you know there are some battles that can't be ignored. While you and Nora didn't ask for this battle, you have fought it with, tenacity, skill, and most importantly, honor. Your advocacy for your family may go unheralded in lots of places, but the impact has been great, reaching the lives of many. I understand that even warriors get weary. You deserve to retire from this battle. Yet, we’re not at a point in this struggle that it’s safe to step down. Get some rest, go for a ride, sing with your friends, take Nora out for a treat, and then prepare for the next conflict. You have my deepest respect.